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The Stages of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a destructive oral condition affecting the hard and soft tissues in the mouth. A progressive disease, it can spread past the site of infection and eventually find its way into the bloodstream, harming overall health. Knowing the symptoms of gum disease in Easton and Cambridge, MD, and the different gum disease treatment options available is the first defense against this condition.
Gum disease is a result of plaque buildup on the teeth that releases toxins. The body’s natural self-defense system responds by irritating and inflaming the gum tissue. Gum disease has three main stages: gingivitis, periodontitis, and advanced periodontitis. During the first stage, symptoms may be painless and unnoticeable to patients. Gingivitis is characterized by red, tender, and swollen gums that bleed when the teeth are brushed and flossed. The first stage of gum disease can be effectively reversed with timely treatment. If no measures are taken to remove the bacteria, gingivitis will progress into periodontitis and then finally advanced periodontitis. In the final and most destructive stage, gum disease has caused irreversible damage to the bone and gum tissue, leaving the teeth exposed and mobile.
Healthy gums and tooth
Gingivitis
Periodontitis
Advanced Periodontitis
The Damaging Effects of Gum Disease
Gum disease affects the structural integrity of the teeth by destroying the healthy gum tissue and bone that surrounds them. The more advanced the stage of gum disease the greater the risk for tooth loss and the potential for systemic health to be compromised. The good news is that even the more severe cases of gum disease can be effectively treated with our advanced, targeted gum disease treatment options.
- Tartar buildup
- Bacterial invasion
- Deepening pockets
- Jaw bone loss
- Tooth mobility
- Tooth loss
- What is gingivitis and how to prevent it
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Gum Disease Treatment Options
Multiple gum disease treatment options exist, depending on its stage and severity. Non-surgical scaling and root planing, the first step in treating gum disease, involves removing plaque and tartar buildup above and below the tooth roots. By removing this buildup and smoothing the areas, healthy gum tissue is able to reattach to the teeth, reducing the depth of the periodontal pockets. For more severe gum disease cases, osseous surgery may be needed to surgically remove the diseased gum tissue and clear the area of tartar and bacteria. But perhaps the most favored of all available gum disease treatment options is LANAP®. This minimally-invasive alternative replaces a scalpel with a dental laser, drastically reducing discomfort, trauma to the tissue, bleeding, swelling, and length of healing.
The Benefits of LANAP Gum Disease Treatment
- Scalpel-free and incision-free alternative
- Minimally-invasive, with little-to-no soft tissue trauma
- Greatly reduces bleeding, swelling, and pain
- Accelerates healing times
- Treat multiple areas at once
